Attack Near Overseas Deployment Units Classified as 'Low Risk' [Yang Nakgyu's Defence Club]

Attack Occurs Near Akh Unit Classified as Non-Combat Zone by Joint Chiefs of Staff
Dongmyeong Unit in Lebanon Also Targeted, Raising Force Protection Level

There have been continued attacks in areas near overseas deployment units that the Joint Chiefs of Staff classified as low-risk zones. Since the outbreak of the Middle East war, concerns have grown over the safety of overseas military units.

According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff on March 10, the risk levels for each overseas deployment unit were measured last year. The assessment was based on factors such as the degree of conflict, public security conditions, hostile forces' activities, and threat elements. The risk levels were classified as: high-risk area (Level 4), semi-risk area (Level 3), rear area (Level 2), and non-combat zone (Level 1). The Akh Unit, located 1,200 km from Iran, was classified as Level 1; the Cheonghae Unit, 2,000 km away, as Level 2; the Dongmyeong Unit, 1,400 km away, and the Hanbit Unit, 2,900 km away, as Level 3.

Since the outbreak of the Middle East war, no area can be considered truly safe.

According to data submitted by the Ministry of National Defense to Assemblyman Hwang Hee of the National Defense Committee regarding the closest attack distances for each overseas deployment unit, even the Akh Unit in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), classified as a non-combat zone, experienced an attack on March 1 in the vicinity of Al Dhafra Airport, located 68 km southwest of the unit. The Akh Unit canceled training exercises and remains on standby within the base.

On February 28, when the United States and Israel carried out airstrikes on Iran—a day classified as a semi-risk area—an attack occurred 31 km northeast of the Dongmyeong Unit in Lebanon. The Dongmyeong Unit is currently maintaining Level 1 force protection and is focusing on essential operations in coordination with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

The Cheonghae Unit in the Gulf of Aden, classified as a rear area, has not experienced any attacks nearby. However, the unit is maintaining Level 2 force protection and has increased alertness. Currently, the unit is on standby in the eastern waters of Oman to protect Korean nationals. The Cheonghae Unit is closely monitoring the local situation and is prepared to be dispatched to support Korean vessels in the Strait of Hormuz at any time. For this purpose, the unit is sharing ship locations and transit information with a total of 19 shipping companies operating in the Strait of Hormuz and the Arabian and Persian Gulf regions. The Hanbit Unit in South Sudan is maintaining Level 3 force protection and is conducting essential operations in coordination with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

On March 2, Minister of National Defense Ahn Kyubaek chaired a situation assessment meeting regarding the current Middle East situation following the Iran crisis, checked key military readiness measures, and ordered that military assets be deployed immediately if support is requested during the evacuation of Korean nationals. Minister Ahn chaired the situation assessment meeting in the operations command room of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on the same day. The commanders of the Dongmyeong, Cheonghae, Akh, and Hanbit Units also participated via video conference.

Currently, the overseas deployment units consist of the 31st contingent of the Dongmyeong Unit in Lebanon (277 personnel), the 46th contingent of the Cheonghae Unit in the Somali waters (266 personnel), the 24th contingent of the Akh Unit in the UAE (145 personnel), and the 20th contingent of the Hanbit Unit in South Sudan (283 personnel). Additionally, there are 36 individual deployments to 12 countries, including South Sudan, India, Kuwait, Iraq, and Bahrain.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.